Ground Reaction Force and Dorsoplantar Balance in Motion
Authors: Emilio Giannotti A.W.C.F.
Journal: FWCF Fellowship Thesis
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Ground Reaction Force and Dorsoplantar Balance in Motion Farriers commonly apply front-limb shoeing strategies to hind limbs despite significant biomechanical differences between these regions, potentially missing opportunities to optimise recovery in injured horses. Giannotti's Fellowship thesis investigates whether modifications to shoe web width can alter how ground reaction force (GRF) is distributed across the hind foot and subsequently influence foot penetration and floatation in soft footing. Using a custom press device for theoretical validation and the Hoof Beat monitoring system (equipped with gyroscopes and dual-axis accelerometers) for live testing, the researcher collected 120 relevant measurements from 10 horses, with digital level analysis confirming degrees of dorsoplantar foot-ground interaction. Results conclusively supported the hypothesis that web width modifications directly influence GRF distribution on deformable surfaces, suggesting that hind-limb shoeing can be refined beyond extrapolation from front-limb practice. These findings have direct clinical relevance for farriers managing posterior limb pathology, offering an evidence-based framework for using shoe geometry to modulate biomechanical loading patterns during rehabilitation.
Practical Takeaways
- •Farriers should reconsider applying front-limb shoeing strategies to hind limbs, as hind limb anatomy and biomechanics differ significantly and warrant independent modifications
- •Adjusting shoe web width is a practical tool to manipulate ground reaction force distribution, affecting how the hind foot interacts with soft/deformable footing surfaces
- •Use of objective measurement tools (accelerometers, gyroscopes) can quantify the biomechanical effects of shoeing modifications rather than relying solely on visual assessment
Key Findings
- •Changes in shoe web width alter the distribution of ground reaction force on the hind foot
- •Shoe web width modifications influence floatation and penetration of the hind foot in soft footing
- •Study results support the hypothesis that GRF modifications can be applied to improve hind limb biomechanics
- •120 measurements from 10 horses collected using Hoof Beat accelerometer and gyroscope sensors demonstrated conclusive evidence